Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard, visited Israel to observe a major civil defense drill. Read more...

1. Israeli Bio-Attack Exercise Serves as Preparedness Model Experts gathered this month at George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute for a briefing on Israel’s recent bio-terrorism exercise, Government Security News reported. The drill, Operation Orange Flame 4, simulated a nationwide emergency inoculation after a bioterrorist attack in order to test Israel’s preparedness. Both Israeli and American leaders in the field addressed the audience to discuss steps the United States could take to implement some of Israel’s practices.Read more...

2. U.S. Officials View Israeli Preparedness DrillThe United States sent high-ranking officials to Israel to observe the Jewish state’s largest nation-wide civil defense exercise, the U.S. National Guard Bureau reported. The drill, called National Level Exercise Turning Point 4, focused on the close partnership between the various localities and agencies during emergencies. U.S. officials in attendance included Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Craig McKinley, Director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt and Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, who was representing the adjutants general off all 50 states. “The relationship between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever,” McKinley said.

3. Company Showcase’s Israeli Airport Security Expertise The Department of Homeland Security is considering employing the techniques of an Israeli firm that uses behavior analytics to detect dangerous criminals or terrorists in airport screenings, The Economist reported. WeCU incorporates infrared camera technology to gauge fluctuations of a person’s heartbeat or body temperature after being exposed to various stimuli. Based on a person’s response to the triggers, the person would then be flagged and further questioned.Read more...

5. Israeli Company Enhances Information SecurityThe Israeli company Walletex continues to make improvements in the information security sector, Israel 21c reported. Walletex has created enhanced versions of smart cards — thin cards that store data and are often used by employees to enter their workplace or by companies to control access to areas within the office — that eliminate common security vulnerabilities and prevent them from being manipulated and decoded by hackers. Walletex, which has a sales office in the U.S., has contracts with companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, Ford and IBM, to name a few. Read more...

AIPAC's Homeland Security Monitor is a monthly summary of key articles highlighting the cooperative homeland security programs central to the strong and mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. For more information on these issues, please write to homelandsecurity@aipac.org.